THE GLOBAL BEAT--RESOURCES FOR GLOBAL JOURNALISM

SPECIAL CRISIS REPORT

TOP STORIES

A Foreign Policy Struggle for the Soul of the Democratic Party

While Tom Daschle wants an "exit strategy" for Afghanistan, Lieberman emerges as a "liberal internationalist hawk." Does that mean we're finally over Vietnam? By Robert Kagan, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace/ March 10, 2002

Should the Media Be allowed Access Satellite Images?

The Bush administration has already expressed a willingness to militarize outer space. The question now is how to regain control over those pesky images that let the rest of us see what is really going on. Laurance Nardon explores the pros and cons in a report just published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Laurance Nardon, CSIS/March 15, 2002. (Adobe Acrobat pdf file--free reader available. Click here. )

Can We Afford the Revolution in Military Affairs?

The core of the revolution is control over information technology, and that is not likely to come cheap. The Project on Defense Alternatives provides a comprehensive list of articles and links.

Russia is Taking the Nuclear Policy Review Flap in Its Stride. Maybe That is Because Moscow Has Its Own Contingency Plans

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov was not particularly surprised at the leaked Nuclear Policy Review documents. In effect, Washington has given Moscow clearance to do its own planning. The main concern in Moscow and Washington is to keep the debate out of the public eye.
by Ivan Safanchuk, The Moscow Times/March 18, 2002

Excerpts from the Nuclear Policy Review

The full text of the unclassified leaks from the new Nuclear Policy Review submitted to Congress.

Is the U.S. Trying Out Depleted Uranium Warheads in Afghanistan?

The density of depleted uranium makes it ideal for bunker busting bombs. It burns on impact, and it's cheap. But the collateral damage is likely to be enormous. by Robert James Parsons in the English edition of Le Monde Diplomatique/March 2002.

THE MIDDLE EAST

Cheney Gets the Message

The vice-president's plan was to seek regional mobilization for an attack on Iraq. But the only subject anyone else wanted to discuss was the importance of ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. By Aluf Benn, Amos Harel and Shlomo Shamir in Ha'aretz/March 19, 2002
The Mood on the Arab Street Turns Nasty

As the casualty lists grow longer, Arab editorialists are taking an increasingly acid look at Washington's role. Ashraf El-Bayoumi, writing in Al Ahram Weekly warns against militarized globalization and "democratic" imperialism. By Ashraf El-Bayouni, Al Ahram Weekly/March 14-20,2002.

PAKISTAN

Wishful Thinking?

Ever since 9/11 Pakistan's President Parvez Musharraf has been pressured into service against international terrorism. But the international community's eagerness to see Pakistan as an ally may be ignoring important facts about Pakistan's real nature. The International Crisis Group/March 12, 2002

AFGHANISTAN

More Troops Needed Now

After the first really bloody fight on the ground, the instinctive reaction may be to declare victory and go home. But the internal situation in Afghanistan is degrading, and the true cost of the U.S. intervention is becoming clearer. It will take at least 25-30,000 troops to set it right, and even then there are no guarantees. IGC/March 15, 2002/

Letting Afghanistan Fall Apart Again Could Be dangerous

The Carnegie Endowments Anatol Lieven argues that Afghanistan risks being a haven for international terrorism for years to come, and therefor we need to remain strongly engaged there. Lieven just completed a three week trip. Hear his report on real audio (Requires real audio player.For free download, click here )

CENTRAL ASIA

Russia Creates Its Own OPEC

Organizing oil and gas production in the central Asian republics not only builds a united front in negotiations with American oil companies, but it also reestablishes Moscow's regional influence.
By Dosym Satpaev in Almaty, Institute for War & Peace Reporting/March 15, 2002

Uzbekistan Takes a New Look At Human Rights

Partnership with the U.S. Forces a Reassessment on Human Rights. Repression is much harder when you are trying keep on the same wavelength as Washington. As a result, Uzbekistan's independent human rights organization, in existence since 1997, is being allowed to formally register with the government for the first time. By Galima Bukharbaeva, Institute for War and Peace Reporting/March 15, 2002.

AFRICA

What Does the U.S. Spend on Military Aid to Africa?

The Center for International policy has created an on-line database that lists the details country-by-country. This is a preview version, but it already makes for interesting reading.

BIOLOGICAL WARFARE

Decontaminating Vozrozhdeniye Island

From 1936 to 1991, Vozrozhdeniye Island in the Aral Sea was a test site for Russia's biological warfare program, including open air testing of anthrax, bubonic plague, tularemia and small pox. In 1998, the Russians buried their entire production of anthrax underground in 250-liter stainless steel containers at 11 sites on the island. The shrinking of the Aral Sea has now turned the Vorozhdeniye into a peninsula with a land bridge to Uzbekistan. The buried anthrax is emerging as a potential weapons source for terrorists, but only the U.S. has the satellite photographs marking its precise location(photos of the island included) By Jonathan B. Tucker, Center for Nonproliferation Studies/Jan 18, 2002

COLOMBIA

Still a Democracy?

Despite its turbulent politics, Colombia remains a democracy. More than 10 million people voted in the legislative elections on March 10, and even more are expected to vote in the presidential elections slated for May 26. The leading candidate is expected to come down hard on the guerillas. By Philip McLean, CSIS/March 15, 2002

The Debate Narrows While U.S. Involvement Expands

Despite orders from Congress to stay out of Colombia's internal affairs, the U.S. has been quietly increasing its commitment to a nasty war. Are news organizations asking the right questions? By Doris Hans,The Colombia Report/March 2002.